Possums are marsupials found across various habitats, known for their adaptability and nocturnal habits. Understanding their diet is essential for their well-being, whether observing them in the wild or encountering them near human habitations. This article covers their natural diet and foods to avoid, ensuring their health.
Natural Diet of Possums
Possums are omnivorous animals, meaning their natural diet includes both plant and animal matter. Their food choices vary significantly depending on their species, habitat, and seasonal availability of resources. In the wild, leaves form a substantial part of their diet, including eucalyptus for some species. They also eat other plant materials such as flowers, nectar, bark, and fungi.
Beyond plant matter, possums forage for protein sources. This includes insects like crickets, beetles, and grasshoppers, as well as snails, slugs, and worms. Small vertebrates such as lizards, frogs, and even bird eggs and fledglings are part of their opportunistic diet. Carrion, or dead animals, also serves as a food source, particularly in urban environments or during leaner seasons. Their diet adapts to what is available, shifting from more fruits in autumn to more animal matter in winter and spring.
Safe Foods to Offer
While possums are wild animals, people sometimes encounter them and consider offering food. If providing supplemental food, select items that closely mimic their natural diet and offer them in small, infrequent quantities. Safe fruits include apples, pears, and berries, which can be provided in small amounts. Vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and leafy greens are also suitable options.
Cooked lean meats, without seasonings, can be offered sparingly as a protein source. Insects such as crickets and mealworms also provide protein. It is important to prepare these foods safely by cooking meats thoroughly and cutting all items into small, manageable pieces to prevent choking.
Foods to Avoid
Many common human foods are harmful or toxic to possums and must be strictly avoided. Chocolate and caffeine contain substances like theobromine, which are toxic and can cause severe health issues, including cardiac problems, tremors, and even death. Onions, garlic, and chives contain compounds that can lead to digestive upset and hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed.
Dairy products should not be given to possums because most are lactose intolerant, leading to digestive problems like diarrhea and discomfort. Avocado contains persin, a natural toxin that can cause respiratory and cardiac distress in possums.
Sugary foods, processed items, and those high in salt lack essential nutrients and can cause obesity, dental issues, and nutritional imbalances. Citrus fruits, due to their acidity, can cause digestive upset. Grapes and raisins are also toxic and can lead to kidney failure. Moldy or spoiled food can produce mycotoxins, causing neurological problems, gastrointestinal issues, and organ damage.
Importance of Water
Hydration is essential for a possum’s health. In their natural habitats, possums obtain water from dew, rainwater, and moisture in their food. Some possums can survive for extended periods without directly drinking water if their diet provides sufficient moisture. Providing a shallow, stable source of fresh water, such as a water dish, can be beneficial, especially during dry periods or heatwaves when natural sources may be scarce.
The water source must be kept clean to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Clean water supports digestion and proper bodily functions.